Nejhorší bývala vždycky rána. Počítali jsme mrtvé, seděli jsme u nich a drželi v rukou jejich zohavené obličeje. Utrhané ruce a nohy, vyhřezlé vnitřnosti. Krkavci, čekající na své sousto, na kus masa. Měli jsme pocit, že nám lhali, že nás všichni opustili a že se nacházíme v obrovském mlýnku na maso. V zákopech temnoty musela vznikat i nová nahrávka francouzských tmářů VERDUN. Kapely, u které jsem si vzpomněl na vyprávění mého pradědy, který opravdu bojoval v První světové válce. Vždycky se zahleděl do dálky a někdy měl v očích slzy. Zažil opravdové peklo i apokalypsu.
Je to moje první setkání s kapelou a rovnou napíšu, že dopadlo na výbornou. Těch pochmurných. doomových, drásavých emocí je tolik, že si mě VERDUN ihned získali na svoji stranu. Při poslechu jsem opravdu nebyl ve svém pokoji, ale vrátil jsem se po časové ose zpět a sledoval démony, jak zase jednou ovládli svět. Hodně jsem u alba přemýšlel a uvědomil jsem si, že jsme se jako lidstvo příliš neposunuli, stále děláme stejné chyby, u kterých umírají tisíce nevinných. Skladby jsou velmi dobře napsány, mají v sobě takovou zvláštní auru, napětí, neklid. Působí na mě až uhrančivým dojmem.
Definovat styl, jaký kapela hraje není zase jednoduché. Na albu zazní jak doomové, tak black metalové pasáže, uslyšíte ale i sludge prvky. V závěru je to jedno, vždycky mi šlo o celkový dojem, o zážitek, o předané emoce. Když poslouchám "Abyssal Womb", tak mám pocit, jakoby mě obejmuly pevné, nekonečně chladné pavučiny, jakoby mi někdo stál těžkou botou na prsou a já zarýval svůj obličej do bahna země, proti které nevím proč bojujeme. Novinka plyne převážně ve středním tempu, nikam zbytečně nespěchá, sází se zde spíše na celkový dojem. Skladby mají na mě až uhrančivý účinek. Naslouchám slovům a vyprávěním, jsem v jiné dimenzi, vnímám jejich bolest. Děsivé sny, které se jim stále vracejí. Kdysi byli hrdinové, dnes se doba změnila a dávno upadli v zapomnění. Na VERDUN se mi ale asi nejvíc líbí, že jsou opravdoví, reální, uvěřitelní, syroví a naprosto autentičtí. Hudba je těžká, ohlodaná na kost. Nikde nic nepřebývá, nikde nic nechybí. Povedl se zvuk, motiv na obalu i všechny ostatní formální věci, bez kterých to samozřejmě nejde. Co se týká textů, tak ty uctívají temné sci-fi i metafyziku. Francouzi se mi dostali do hlavy, do podvědomí, hráli si se mnou pokaždé jako šelma se svojí kořistí. Už dlouho se mi nestalo, abych si jen tak sedl a od prvního tónu, melodie, od prvního úderu bicích, byl takhle moc ztracen. Klečím uprostřed zuřící bitvy a marně se modlím k Bohu. Nikdy jsem ho neviděl, zato Satan je na každém rohu. Usmívá se. Vypadá to, že se stále budeme zbytečně zabíjet. Kvůli území, kvůli víře, kvůli nedorozumění. Mocní tohoto světa na tom budou nadále vydělávat. Pokaždé, když budu poslouchat tuhle desku, tak na to budu myslet. Je totiž vynikající po všech stránkách. Temný, uhrančivý, démonický soundtrack k sludge doom metalové apokalypse! Album, které se vám dostane do krve i do podvědomí!
Asphyx says:
Mornings were always the worst. We counted the dead, sat beside them, and held their mutilated faces in our hands. Torn-off arms and legs, spilling entrails. Ravens, waiting for their next bite, for a piece of flesh. We felt like we’d been lied to, that everyone had abandoned us, and that we were trapped in a giant meat grinder. It must have been in those dark trenches that the new album by the French doom metal band VERDUN was created. A band that reminded me of the stories my great-grandfather told he actually fought in World War I. He would always gaze into the distance, and sometimes there were tears in his eyes. He had experienced true hell and the apocalypse.
This is my first encounter with the band, and I’ll say right off the bat that it turned out great. There are so many of those gloomy, doom laden, harrowing emotions that VERDUN immediately won me over. While listening, I really wasn’t in my room I traveled back in time and watched as the demons once again took over the world. I thought a lot about the album and realized that we, as humanity, haven’t progressed much; we’re still making the same mistakes that cause the deaths of thousands of innocent people. The songs are very well written; they possess a peculiar aura, tension, and unease. They have an almost mesmerizing effect on me.
It’s not exactly easy to define the band’s style. The album features both doom and black metal passages, but you’ll also hear sludge elements. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter I’ve always been more interested in the overall impression, the experience, and the emotions conveyed. When I listen to "Abyssal Womb", I feel as if I’m being enveloped by sturdy, infinitely cold cobwebs, as if someone were standing on my chest with a heavy boot and I were burying my face in the mud of the earth, against which I don’t know why we’re fighting. The new album flows mostly at a moderate tempo; it doesn’t rush anywhere unnecessarily, focusing instead on the overall impression. The songs have an almost mesmerizing effect on me. As I listen to the lyrics and the stories, I’m transported to another dimension I feel their pain. The terrifying dreams that keep coming back to haunt them. They were once heroes; today, times have changed, and they’ve long since fallen into oblivion. But what I probably like most about VERDUN is that they’re genuine, real, believable, raw, and completely authentic. The music is heavy, stripped down to the bone. Nothing is superfluous, nothing is missing. The sound, the cover art, and all the other formal elements which, of course, are essential are all spot-on. As for the lyrics, they pay homage to dark sci-fi and metaphysics. These French guys have gotten into my head, into my subconscious; they’ve played with me every time like a predator with its prey. It’s been a long time since I’ve just sat down and, from the very first note, the very first melody, the very first drumbeat, been so completely lost. I’m kneeling in the middle of a raging battle, praying to God in vain. I’ve never seen Him, but Satan is on every corner. He’s smiling. It looks like we’ll just keep killing each other for nothing. Over territory, over faith, over misunderstandings. The powerful of this world will continue to profit from it. Every time I listen to this album, I’ll think about that. Because it’s outstanding in every way. A dark, mesmerizing, demonic soundtrack to a sludge doom metal apocalypse! An album that will seep into your blood and your subconscious!
Čtyři kousky shnilého masa, podávaného ve vybělené lebce, čtyři rezavé hřeby, které jednou budou zatlučeny i do tvého víka od rakve. Čtyři mokvající skladby, které se mi ihned zadřely pod kůži i do vnitřností. Začaly tam postupně mokvat, drásat a pálit. Potřeboval jsem další dávku death metalu v podání maniaků DECEDENT, abych zanícenou ránu prořízl. Ostré, surové riffy, nekompromisní morbidní vokál, motivy plné špíny, hnisu, rozkládajících se těl a hlavně melodie, které působí spíše jako vivisekce, než jen obyčejná hudba.
Jedná se samozřejmě o ten nejhlubší underground. Žádné zbytečnosti, tam kde jiné kapely přemýšlejí, tihle maniaci řežou do živého a útočí na solar plexus. Kývám se spokojeně do rytmu, vzpomínám na staré mistry řezníky, užívám si mokvající, bažinatou atmostéru, klaním se těm nejlepším patologům. Poslouchat tohle EP je jako exhumovat hroby na zahradě sériového vraha.
Na téhle smečce bylo, je a s největší pravděpodobností asi i bude nejlepší to, že je opravdová, uvěřitelná, že se s ničím moc nemaže. Samozřejmě, jak už tomu v dnešní době bývá, všechno tady již bylo a pánové neobjevují ani nepředkládají nic nového. Jenže, když ono mě baví "Predestined for Tragedy" poslouchat. Mám pokaždé až morbidní radost, srovnatelnou snad jen se zážitky z dobrých hororových filmů. Pokud jste jako já staří psi a nebo se jen také s chutí přehrabujete ve starých kostech a užíváte si podmanivě krvavou atmosféru, potom jste zde správně. Tahle smečka vám nabídne zážitek, srovnatelný snad jen s exhumací prokletého hrobu. Opravdový death metal byl vždy o hnusných věcech, upozorňoval na to, čeho jsme jako druh schopni. DECEDENT nám předkládají realitu, ohlodanou na kost a také hudbu, která vás strhne do hlubiny. Je velmi dobře napsaná, na povrchu chladná a syrová jako ruka mrtvoly, uvnitř ale hoří, žhne a pálí. Nic pro slabé povahy, EP ocení spíše maniaci, kteří se rádi rochní po lokty ve vnitřnostech. Je něco mokvajícího, bolestivého, co mě pokaždé doslova přikove na zeď, když tuhle nahrávku poslouchám. Je morbidní ochutnávkou, je nastaveným zrcadlem našich hnusných činů, že mementem toho, co někteří jedinci dokáží za zvěrstva. Mě nezbývá nic jiného, než označit novinku vysokou známkou kvality a doporučit ji všem pravověrným. Mrzí mě snad jen jediné, zajímalo by mě, jak zní tahle smečka naživo. Fanoušci třeba takových ROTTREVORE, DISMA, FUNEBRARUM, ABHORRENCE, INCANTATION, OBITUARY, PESTILENCE, BOLT THROWER, UNDERGANG, CONTAMINATED, moje slova určitě potvrdí. Hnisavý, mokvající, bažinatý death metal, který vás vyvrhne zaživa! Stanete se jen kusem shnilého masa!
Asphyx says:
Four pieces of rotten flesh, served in a bleached skull; four rusty nails that will one day be hammered into your coffin lid as well. Four oozing tracks that immediately burrowed under my skin and into my guts. There, they gradually began to ooze, tear, and burn. I needed another dose of death metal from the maniacs of DECEDENT to cut through the inflamed wound. Sharp, raw riffs, uncompromising morbid vocals, themes full of filth, pus, and decaying bodies and above all, melodies that feel more like vivisection than mere music.
This is, of course, the deepest underground. No frills where other bands overthink, these maniacs cut to the quick and strike at the solar plexus. I nod contentedly to the beat, recalling the old master butchers, savoring the oozing, swampy atmosphere, and bowing to the finest pathologists. Listening to this EP is like exhuming graves in a serial killer’s backyard.
The best thing about this band past, present, and most likely future is that it’s genuine, believable, and doesn’t beat around the bush. Of course, as is often the case these days, it’s all been done before, and these guys aren’t discovering or presenting anything new. But still, I really enjoy listening to “Predestined for Tragedy”. Every time, I feel a morbid joy, comparable perhaps only to the experience of watching a good horror movie. If, like me, you’re an old hand or if you just enjoy rummaging through old bones and savoring a captivatingly bloody atmosphere then you’ve come to the right place. This band offers an experience comparable perhaps only to the exhumation of a cursed grave. True death metal has always been about disgusting things, drawing attention to what we’re capable of as a species. DECEDENT presents us with reality, stripped down to the bone, as well as music that will drag you into the depths. It’s very well written on the surface, cold and raw like a corpse’s hand, but inside, it burns, smolders, and sears. Not for the faint of heart this EP will be appreciated more by maniacs who like to wallow elbow-deep in guts. There’s something raw and painful about it that literally pins me to the wall every time I listen to this recording. It’s a morbid taste, a mirror held up to our vile deeds, a reminder of the atrocities some individuals are capable of. I have no choice but to give this new release high marks for quality and recommend it to all true believers. My only regret is that I’d love to know what this pack sounds like live. Fans of bands like ROTTREVORE, DISMA, FUNEBRARUM, ABHORRENCE, INCANTATION, OBITUARY, PESTILENCE, BOLT THROWER, UNDERGANG, and CONTAMINATED will surely agree with my assessment. Festering, oozing, swampy death metal that will rip you apart while you’re still alive! You’ll become nothing more than a piece of rotten flesh!
Ave CHRONIC HATE! Greetings to the Italian underground. I hope everything’s going well over there. It should be you’ve released the third fantastic full-length album of your career this year. I have to admit, it literally pinned me to the wall. It’s dark, energetic, and cuts like a sharp knife. It’s very clear that you’ve done a great job and brought a lot of talent to the table. How do you see the new record in relation to your previous albums? Where did you want to go with it, and how do you think the recordings differ?
(Daniele) Hi Jakub and cheers to Czech metalheads! Thanks for your appreciation about our new album and also for inviting us to talk about it. As you pointed out, it took a lot of effort to compose and produce this album, we see it as prosecution of our work over the years but also a new challenge in terms of sound and composition. We always look for something new but without loosing our identity of death metal lovers.
“Defeating the Oblivion of Life” contains all the attributes of good death metal. It’s built on traditional foundations, yet it’s technical and interesting. For me personally, it’s an album I love coming back to. How did it come about? How does CHRONIC HATE compose new material?
(Daniele) Well the composition process, like in many bands, starts from riff ideas that can be brought by guitarists or bass player also. In different ways but we all take part in the composition of the songs. We usually do a preproduction at home so we can listen how the new material sounds like, then we decide if it need more effort or it's good enough. In Chronic Hate both guitarists can record at home and make some preproduction files so this fact make things a little bit easier.
Each of you also plays in a lot of other bands. How do you distinguish between “work” for CHRONIC HATE and for the others? Plus, you’re all experienced musicians who’ve left a lot of great music behind. Do you have any trouble agreeing on things? And what about concerts and recording do you have trouble coordinating schedules and times?
(Daniele) Sometimes it's not easy to coordinate between bands, jobs and everyday's life issues but somehow we always managed to do it and be responsible on our schedules. We don't play tons of gigs per year so we still have some time for our respective other bands, also recordings are organized very early and we are also lucky that we can record guitars, bass and vocals at Daniele's home studio.
About agreeing on things, of course everyone has it's own ideas and can put it into the band, so if the majority of us likes something, we keep it. We know each other quite well so we can also rely on ourselves.
I have to confirm that the sound is literally killer. It keeps making me turn up the volume on my stereo. You have a sound that’s brutal, raw, and at the same time dark and animalistic. Who handled the mixing and mastering? Which studio did you record in, and how did everything go?
(Daniele) The man behind the sound of our new album is Greg Chandler (guitarist in Esoteric band) who runs his Priory Recording Studio in the UK. He took care of guitars and bass reamping, mixing and mastering. We recorded acoustic drums at Artesonika Studio in Northeast Italy with producer Ivan Monibidin, and all guitars, bass and vocal tracks at Daniele's home studio, called Black Swamp Studio. The communication with Greg was so pleasant and he understood very soon what kind of sound we needed. Using real amps and real acoustic drums is not so ordinary anymore nowadays, but we found the right producer for what we had in mind, to sound raw but defined, consistent and thick.
An integral part of the release and a sort of bonus for fans is the CD and vinyl. You released it through Time to Kill Records, and it features mysterious artwork by Colin Marks. How did you choose the design, and how does it relate to the music on the new album? What exactly is it supposed to represent?
(Andrea) We have to thank Time to Kill for giving us the opportunity to release "Defeating the Oblivion of Life" on vinyl as well. We chose one of Colin Marks' many stunning artworks because it perfectly captured the essence of torment and anguish that permeates every single lyric on the album. Chronic Hate leave nothing to chance. The artwork was also chosen for its originality; we are a band inspired by many others, but we have our own identity, and for that reason, we never want to be ordinary.
I’ve been wandering the underworld for over thirty years now, and when it comes to music, I go to Italy for a sure thing. I think we have a similar nature and taste when it comes to metal. I really like your bands and follow your scene closely. Maybe I even envy you a little we only have a few death metal bands here that are worth checking out. How do you explain that death metal is doing so well in your country? How do you perceive your scene, fans, and labels?
(Daniele) Very interesting question. I also listen to extreme music and follow the scene for about 30 years now, and speaking about death metal, Italy has earned respect and has emerged from the underground only in the last 20 years I think. For sure we had many good bands also in the 90's but the fact to be italian was a hard step for emerging and being considered at the same level as foreign bands. But in the end things have changed and now we have gained a good reputation in the international death metal scene, showing also growing fan bases and with more professional and reliable (most of the times) labels.
You play old school influenced death metal. These days, a band can’t really avoid comparisons, but I’d be interested to know how the idea to form CHRONIC HATE actually came about, who your role models were and are, and where you want to take your band? Are you tempted by big international festivals, for example, and would you be willing to go on tour with a more famous band?
We come from the 90's scene so our biggest figures were bands like Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation, Cannibal Corpse, Dismember and those kind of monsters that ruled the death metal scene during those times. Me (Daniele) and Marco the bass player were already friends in the late 90's and we were trading tapes and suggesting new bands to listen to each other. In early 2001 we met at a Morbid Angel gig and he came to me like „hey why don't we start a band? I know a drummer“ and that's how Chronic Hate started just few months later. We do not have a precise plan about where to take the band, of course we want to go on with passion and dedication, playing live and writing new music, but I feel we don't have this „hurry up“ sensation anymore, instead we take our time to make things in the best way possible. Big international festivals are cool of course, but they are not our main goal, maybe we prefere smaller but more passionate situations, filled with people that are there for the music first. Same idea about going on tour with some more famous band, that would be nice, but we need to find a good situation where we feel 100% into it.
When I started my website ten years ago, my vision was to support bands that I felt weren’t getting enough attention. To let the world know about them. I think I’ve been pretty successful at it, at least judging by the feedback. How do you approach promotion? Do you leave it up to the label, or do you send out CDs for reviews yourselves? For example, I buy albums that I really enjoy. How about you? Are you also fans who like to support your peers? Do you go to concerts? Do you party?
(Daniele) We love the old-school approach to music, so yes, we buy cds and vinyls, we go to concerts and we party with metalhead friends, like it should be everywhere! We think this is the main step, enjoying the scene as much as possible. Your website and people doing the same kind of promotion are very important for bands like us, when promotion is never enough let's say. Our label is doing a great job and we also do some minor self promotion through our direct and personal channels. But we are so happy to see that someone here and there likes what we do!
On the one hand, a band starting out today has plenty of ways to get their name out there, but on the other hand, there are a huge number of bands, and fans get lost in the crowd. A lot of people just download MP3s from the internet and, instead of going to a concert, prefer to spew venom on Facebook. How does modern technology influence you as CHRONIC HATE? What do you think about downloading music, Google metalists, streaming music, etc.?
(Andrea) Every situation is a mirror of society. If you like wallowing in shit, don't complain if you end up smelling. People who have always bought records will keep doing so; those who started with Napster or the like will keep spewing venom—probably because they listen to music superficially and have never spent a dime, yet, they act like know-it-alls behind a screen.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to adapt to all this, too. Everyone is free to choose whether to listen to music at the right volume, with the right sound, and so on... What we have to do is play, record our ideas, and headbang.
I like to ask musicians what death metal means to them. How would they define it—is it more of a philosophy and lifestyle for them, or “just” a way to unwind? What does it mean to you? How do you perceive and experience it?
(Daniele) In my personal view, death metal is both a philosophy and a way to unwind. I mean, when you are so into a music style and you have enough time to listen to your favorite records and discover new great ones, then your mind is satisfied and you can relax doing what you like the most, like spinning a vinyl or pressing play on the cd player.
Finally, a classic but important question. What does CHRONIC HATE have planned for the coming months? Where can we see you in concert? If you have a message for fans, labels, or promoters, this is the place…
Our main goal now is to play as many gigs as possible to promote the album. In June we had the great opportunity to play supporting Possessed on both Italian gigs they made, we also played in Slovenia and in Milan at the Hellbrigade Fest with Tsjuder and Asagraum. We played also Eresia Metalfest with Jungle Rot and Desaster (and many others), few other Italian shows in the making and something in Austria also coming soon. We have been a few times also in Czech Republic and Poland over the years and we would like so much to play there again, let's see what the future will bring! For fans, labels and promoters we have something easy but very important, keep promoting real good music! Death Metal never dies!
Thank you so much for the interview. I wish your new album every success, and I hope your fan base grows as much as possible. I look forward to seeing you live somewhere, and I wish you all the best both musically and personally. I’m going to blast “Defeating the Oblivion of Life” again!
Thank you Jakub for this interview and support, hope our paths will cross one day, cheers from Italy!
Recenze/review - CHRONIC HATE - Defeating the Oblivion of Life (2026):
Ave CHRONIC HATE! Zdravím do italského undergroundu. Doufám, že je u vás vše v pořádku. Mělo by, máte na kontě letos třetí dlouhohrající skvělé album své kariéry. Musím se přiznat, že mě doslova přikovalo na zeď. Je temné, energické, řeže ostrou hranou nože. Je hodně slyšet, že jste odvedli skvělou práci a taky velká porce talentu. Jak vnímáš novou nahrávku v souvislosti s předchozími deskami? Kam jak jste se chtěli posunout a v čem jsou podle tebe nahrávky odlišné?
(Daniele) Ahoj Jakube a na zdraví českým metalistům! Díky za tvé uznání našeho nového alba a také za pozvání, abychom si o něm popovídali. Jak jsi zmínil, složení a produkce tohoto alba vyžadovaly velké úsilí. Vnímáme ho jako pokračování naší práce za ta léta, ale také jako novou výzvu, co se týče zvuku a kompozice. Vždycky hledáme něco nového, ale aniž bychom ztratili naši identitu milovníků death metalu.
„Defeating the Oblivion of Life“ v sobě obsahuje všechny atributy dobrého death. Je postavené na tradičních základech, ale zároveň technické a zajímavé. Pro mě osobně se jedná o desku, ke které se hrozně rád vracím. Jakým způsobem vznikala? Jak skládají nový materiál CHRONIC HATE?
(Daniele) No, proces skládání, stejně jako v mnoha kapelách, začíná nápady na riffy, které mohou přinést kytaristé nebo i baskytarista. Různými způsoby, ale všichni se podílíme na skládání písní. Obvykle si doma děláme předprodukci, abychom si poslechli, jak nový materiál zní, a pak se rozhodneme, jestli potřebuje ještě víc úsilí, nebo je dostatečně dobrý. V Chronic Hate mohou oba kytaristé nahrávat doma a vytvořit si předprodukční soubory, což věci trochu usnadňuje.
Každý z vás hraje i ve spoustě dalších kapel. Jak odlišujete „práci“ pro CHRONIC HATE a pro ostatní? Všichni jste navíc zkušení muzikanti, kteří za sebou zanechali spoustu skvělé hudby. Nemáte problém se třeba domluvit? A co koncerty, nahrávání, nedělá vám problémy sladit termíny a čas?
(Daniele) Někdy není snadné koordinovat mezi kapelami, prací a každodenními záležitostmi, ale nějak se nám to vždycky podařilo a zodpovědně se věnovat našim programům. Nehrajeme tuny koncertů ročně, takže nám stále zbývá čas na ostatní kapely. Nahrávání se také plánuje velmi brzy a máme také štěstí, že můžeme nahrávat kytary, basu a vokály v Danieleho domácím studiu.
Co se týče dohodnutí, samozřejmě každý má své vlastní nápady a může je do kapely vnést, takže pokud se většině z nás něco líbí, necháme si to. Známe se docela dobře, takže se můžeme spolehnout i sami na sebe.
Musím potvrdit, že zvuk doslova zabíjí. Pořád mě to nutí na hi-fi věži přidávat volume. Máte zvuk, který je krutý, surový a zároveň temný a živočišný. Kdo je podepsán pod mixem a masteringem? V jakém studiu jste nahrávali a jak vše probíhalo?
(Daniele) Mužem za zvukem našeho nového alba je Greg Chandler (kytarista v kapele Esoteric), který provozuje své studio Priory Recording Studio ve Velké Británii. Staral se o reamping, mix a mastering kytar a basy. Akustické bicí jsme nahrávali ve studiu Artesonika v severovýchodní Itálii s producentem Ivanem Monibidinem a všechny kytary, basu a vokál v Danieleho domácím studiu Black Swamp Studio. Komunikace s Gregem byla velmi příjemná a velmi brzy pochopil, jaký zvuk potřebujeme. Používání skutečných zesilovačů a skutečných akustických bicích už dnes není tak běžné, ale našli jsme toho správného producenta pro to, co jsme měli na mysli – aby zněl syrově, ale definovaně, konzistentně a hutně.
Nedílnou součástí a jakýmsi bonusem navíc je pro fanoušky dnes CD, vinyl. Vy jste jej vydali u Time to Kill Records a je opatřeno tajemným obalem. Autorem je Colin Marks. Jak jste motiv vybírali a jak souvisí s hudbou na novince? Co přesně má představovat?
(Andrea) Musíme poděkovat Time to Kill za to, že nám dali příležitost vydat „Defeating the Oblivion of Life“ také na vinylu. Vybrali jsme si jeden z mnoha úžasných uměleckých děl Colina Markse, protože dokonale vystihl podstatu mučení a úzkosti, která prostupuje každým textem na albu. Chronic Hate nenechávají nic náhodě. Umělecký obrázek byl také vybrán pro svou originalitu; jsme kapela inspirovaná mnoha dalšími, ale máme svou vlastní identitu, a proto nikdy nechceme být obyčejní.
Toulám se podsvětím již přes třicet let a do Itálie si chodím pro muziku vlastně na jistotu. Myslím, že máme podobnou náturu i vkus, co se týká metalu. Mám vaše kapely hodně rád a pečlivě sleduji vaši scénu. Možná vám i trošku závidím, my máme u nás jen pár death metalových smeček, které stojí za to. Čím si to vysvětluješ, že zrovna u vás se death metalu tolik daří? Jak vnímáš vaši scénu, fanoušky, labely?
(Daniele) Velmi zajímavá otázka. Také poslouchám extrémní hudbu a sleduji scénu už asi 30 let a co se týče death metalu, Itálie si získala respekt a vynořila se z undergroundu myslím až v posledních 20 letech. Jistě, i v 90. letech jsme měli mnoho dobrých kapel, ale fakt, že jsme Italové, byl těžký krok k tomu, abychom se prosadili a byli považováni za stejnou úroveň jako zahraniční kapely. Nakonec se ale věci změnily a teď jsme si na mezinárodní death metalové scéně získali dobrou pověst, s rostoucí základnou fanoušků a profesionálnějšími a spolehlivějšími (většinou) vydavatelstvími.
Hrajete death metal ovlivněný starou školou. Dnes se vlastně kapela nemůže vyhnout srovnání, mě by ale zajímalo, jak vlastně vznikl nápad založit CHRONIC HATE, kdo byl a je vaším vzorem a kam vaši kapelu chcete posunout? Lákají vás třeba velké zahraniční festivaly, jste ochotni vyrazit na turné s nějakou slavnější smečkou?
Pocházíme z 90. let, takže našimi největšími vzory byly kapely jako Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation, Cannibal Corpse, Dismember a podobná monstra, která v té době vládla death metalové scéně. Já (Daniele) a Marco, baskytarista, jsme byli přátelé už koncem 90. let, vyměňovali jsme si nahrávky a navrhovali si nové kapely k poslechu. Začátkem roku 2001 jsme se potkali na koncertě Morbid Angel a on za mnou přišel s otázkou: „Hele, proč nezaložíme kapelu? Znám jednoho bubeníka.“ A tak vznikli Chronic Hate jen o pár měsíců později. Nemáme přesný plán, kam kapelu vést, samozřejmě chceme pokračovat s vášní a odhodláním, hrát živě a psát novou hudbu, ale mám pocit, že už nemáme tenhle „spěch“, místo toho si dáváme na čas, abychom věci udělali co nejlépe. Velké mezinárodní festivaly jsou samozřejmě fajn, ale nejsou naším hlavním cílem, možná preferujeme menší, ale vášnivější akce plné lidí, kteří přišli hlavně kvůli hudbě. Stejný nápad jet na turné s nějakou slavnější kapelou, to by bylo fajn, ale musíme najít dobrou situaci, kdy se do toho budeme cítit na 100 %.
Když jsem před deseti lety zakládal svoje stránky, měl jsem vizi, že se budu snažit podporovat kapely, které podle mě nejsou tolik na očích. Dát o nich vědět světu. Myslím, že se mi to celkem daří, alespoň podle ohlasů. Jak přistupujete k propagaci vy? Necháváte to na labelu nebo sami posíláte CD různě na recenze? Já si třeba alba, která mě opravdu baví, kupuji. Jak jste na tom vy? Jste také fanoušci, co rádi a často podporují své kolegy? Chodíte na koncerty? Paříte?
(Daniele) Milujeme oldschoolový přístup k hudbě, takže ano, kupujeme si CD a vinyly, chodíme na koncerty a paříme s metalovými kamarády, tak by to mělo být všude! Myslíme si, že tohle je hlavní krok, užít si scénu co nejvíc. Vaše webové stránky a lidé, kteří dělají stejný druh propagace, jsou pro kapely jako my velmi důležití, řekněme, že propagace nikdy nestačí. Naše vydavatelství odvádí skvělou práci a také děláme menší sebepropagaci prostřednictvím našich přímých a osobních kanálů. Ale jsme moc rádi, když vidíme, že se tu a tam někomu líbí, co děláme!
Na jednu stranu má dnes začínající kapela spoustu možností, jak o sobě dát vědět, ale zase na druhou stranu, skupin je obrovské množství a fanoušci se v nich ztrácejí. Hodně lidí jen stahuje mp3 z internetu a místo koncertu raději plive jedovaté sliny na facebooku. Jak vás, jako CHRONIC HATE ovlivňují moderní technologie? Co si myslíš o stahování muziky, google metalistech, streamování muziky apod.?
(Andrea) Každá situace je zrcadlem společnosti. Pokud se rád válíš v hovnech, nestěžuj si, když nakonec budeš smrdět. Lidé, kteří si vždycky kupovali desky, v tom budou pokračovat; ti, kteří začali s Napsterem nebo podobnými službami, budou chrlit jed – pravděpodobně proto, že hudbu poslouchají povrchně a nikdy neutratili ani korunu, a přesto se za obrazovkou chovají jako všeználci.
Bohužel jsme se i tomu všemu museli přizpůsobit. Každý si může svobodně vybrat, zda bude poslouchat hudbu ve správné hlasitosti, se správným zvukem a tak dále... Musíme jen hrát, nahrávat své nápady a mlátit hlavou.
S oblibou se ptám muzikantů na to, co pro ně znamená death metal. Jak by jej definovali, jestli je pro ně spíše filozofií a životním stylem nebo „jen“ relaxem. Co znamená pro tebe? Jak jej vnímáš a prožíváš?
(Daniele) Podle mého osobního názoru je death metal filozofií i způsobem, jak se uvolnit. Myslím tím, že když se tak zamilujete do nějakého hudebního stylu a máte dostatek času na poslech svých oblíbených desek a objevování nových skvělých, pak je vaše mysl spokojená a můžete relaxovat při tom, co vás nejvíc baví, jako je přehrávání vinylu nebo mačkání tlačítka play na CD přehrávači.
Na závěr klasická, ale důležitá otázka. Co chystají CHRONIC HATE v nejbližších měsících? Kde vás můžeme vidět na koncertě? Pokud máš nějaký vzkaz pro fanoušky, labely, promotéry, tak zde je prostor…
Naším hlavním cílem je teď odehrát co nejvíce koncertů na propagaci alba. V červnu jsme měli skvělou příležitost hrát jako předskokani Possessed na obou jejich italských koncertech, hráli jsme také ve Slovinsku a v Miláně na Hellbrigade Festu s Tsjuder a Asagraum. Hráli jsme také na Eresia Metalfestu s Jungle Rot a Desaster (a mnoha dalšími), chystáme se na několik dalších italských koncertů a brzy se objeví i něco v Rakousku. V průběhu let jsme byli několikrát také v České republice a Polsku a moc bychom si tam rádi zahráli znovu, uvidíme, co budoucnost přinese! Pro fanoušky, labely a promotéry máme něco snadného, ale velmi důležitého, nadále propagujte opravdu dobrou hudbu! Death metal nikdy neumírá!
Děkuji moc za rozhovor. Přeji nejen nové desce spoustu úspěchů a ať se co nejvíc rozšíří řady vašich fanoušků. Budu se těšit někde naživo a ať se vám daří jak po hudební stránce, tak i v osobní rovině. Jdu si „Defeating the Oblivion of Life“ zase narvat do hlavy!
Děkuji Jakube za tento rozhovor a podporu, doufám, že se naše cesty jednou zkříží, zdravím z Itálie!
Recenze/review - CHRONIC HATE - Defeating the Oblivion of Life (2026):
Další mrtvá těla. Další kusy zbytečného masa. Co z nás nakonec zbyde? Jenom hromada tkání, kostí a možná i duše, která bývá nakonec spálená na popel. Beru do rukou kladivo a drtím všechno na prach. Lidská kafilerie, hromadný hrob, který je nutné zklikvidovat. Na kameru jsme všem řekli, že ostatky důstojně uložíme, ale to by bylo moc práce. Otřu si z čela krev, sundám si rukavice, chci si užít ten neopakovatelný pocit na plno. Usmívám se, jsem starý hrobník a právě jsem znovu zapnul play na svém přehrávači. Hraje mi v něm nové album polských patologů F.A.M. Kapely, která je pro mě vždy skvělým soundtrackem k mé morbidní práci.
Mám tuhle smečku rád. Každé jejich nové album očekávám s napětím, abych si jej vždy narval pod tlakem do hlavy. Žádné zbytečnosti, žádné kompromisy. Jenom ostrý, čerstvě nabroušený nůž, divoké riffy, death metal a grindcore ve své syrové podobě. I letos je novinka jako rána kladivem přímo do ksichtu. Poláci vám vystřelí mozek z hlavy a opět to dělají s elegancí starých mistrů.
Mám rád i živá vystoupení, která bývají vždy velmi divoká, nespoutaná a plná temné energie. I letos se u nové nahrávky kývám spokojeně do rytmu. V ruce držím sekyru a toužím po čerstvém mase. "Pleasure Of Torture" mi připomíná veřejnou pitvu z dávných časů. Prováděnou samozřejmě za plného vědomí pacienta. Jakoby mě Poláci zavřeli do sklepa, ve kterém ukrývá sériový vrah své oběti. Hudba je zde ohlodaná na kost, jako náš strach, jako bolest a utrpení, které zažíváme. Pánové jdou na hranu, překračují ji, střílejí ostrými náboji a v mém případě pokaždé zasáhnou cíl. Pokud bychom si měli promluvit o zvuku, musel bych jenom chválit. Je plesnivý, surový, dobře čitelný a bolí mě. Vše je v nejlepším pořádku, stejně jako motiv na obalu, který je stylový a ve člověku probudí spoustu vzpomínek na pitvání živých těl. F.A.M. se ve své tvorbě volně inspirovali kapelami jako MUMAKIL, NASUM, NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER, GADGET, LOCK UP, BRUTAL TRUTH, PHOBIA, CARCASS. I letos jsou odkazy patrné, ale jako vždy tahle smečka přidává velkou spoustu svých nápadů a invence. Nenudím se ani chvilku. Naopak, sedávám dlouhé hodiny ve sklepě, u svého starého přehrávače, neustále přehrávám tohle album a připadám si jako na starých, dávno opuštěných lidských jatkách. Skladby jsou samozřejmě náležitě nechutné, mokvající, zahnívající, připomínají kompostování shnilého masa. Poláci mě i letos přikovali svým novým albem na zeď, vyvrhli mě zaživa a trepanovali mojí lebku. Nemohu jinak, než vám novinku doporučit. Ocení ji všichni pravověrní, patologové, řezníci i jedinci, kteří stále touží po čerstvé krvi. Perfektně odvedená morbidní death grindcoreová práce! Surové, autentické, zabijácké album, u kterého budete vyvrženi zaživa! Nakrmte prasata lidským masem!
Asphyx says:
More dead bodies. More pieces of useless flesh. What will ultimately remain of us? Just a pile of tissue, bones, and perhaps even a soul, which is eventually burned to ashes. I pick up a hammer and crush everything to dust. A human rendering plant, a mass grave that must be disposed of. On camera, we told everyone we’d lay the remains to rest with dignity, but that would be too much work. I wipe the blood from my forehead, take off my gloves I want to enjoy this once in a lifetime feeling to the fullest. I’m smiling; I’m an old gravedigger, and I’ve just hit play again on my music player. It’s playing the new album by the Polish pathologists F.A.M. a band that’s always been the perfect soundtrack to my morbid work.
I love this crew. I eagerly await each of their new albums so I can blast them into my head. No frills, no compromises. Just a sharp, freshly sharpened knife, wild riffs, death metal, and grindcore in their raw form. This year’s new release is, once again, like a hammer blow right to the face. The Poles will blow your brains out and they’re doing it once again with the elegance of the old masters.
I also love their live performances, which are always very wild, unrestrained, and full of dark energy. This year, too, I’m nodding contentedly to the beat of their new album. I’m holding an axe in my hand and craving fresh meat. “Pleasure Of Torture” reminds me of a public autopsy from days of old performed, of course, while the patient is fully conscious. It’s as if the Poles have locked me in a basement where a serial killer hides his victims. The music here is stripped down to the bone, just like our fear, just like the pain and suffering we experience. These guys push the limits, cross the line, fire live rounds and in my case, they hit the mark every time. If we were to talk about the sound, I’d have nothing but praise. It’s moldy, raw, crystal clear, and it hurts me. Everything is in perfect order, just like the cover art, which is stylish and evokes plenty of memories of dissecting living bodies. F.A.M. drew loose inspiration for their work from bands like MUMAKIL, NASUM, NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER, GADGET, LOCK UP, BRUTAL TRUTH, PHOBIA, and CARCASS. The influences are evident again this year, but as always, this pack adds a whole lot of their own ideas and creativity. I’m not bored for a single moment. On the contrary, I sit for hours on end in the basement, by my old record player, constantly playing this album, and I feel like I’m in an old, long-abandoned slaughterhouse. The tracks are, of course, appropriately disgusting, oozing, rotting reminiscent of decaying meat being composted. Once again this year, the Poles have nailed me to the wall with their new album, flayed me alive, and drilled into my skull. I can’t help but recommend this new release to you. It will be appreciated by all true believers, pathologists, butchers, and those who still crave fresh blood. A perfectly executed, morbid death grindcore masterpiece! A raw, authentic, killer album that will have you flung out alive! Feed the pigs human flesh!
Ave FUNEBRE DEVASTATION! I’m currently listening to your new album, “The Verminous Spawn,” and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m at an evil black mass. You play black thrash death metal, and this is your third full-length album. Can you tell us how the new record came together and in what direction you wanted to move from your excellent previous releases? Did you want to be even faster, darker, more devilish?
Hails, Jakub Asphyx!! First of all, thanks a lot for taking the time to interview us and for sending such interesting questions. Let's get into it!
Believe it or not, our first idea when we started writing this album was actually to make something more old-school. We wanted to lean more towards the early days of Venom, Celtic Frost, and the first Sodom records. We even talked about throwing in a few more Speed/Thrash Metal sections. As you can hear, those influences are definitely there in some of the songs, but others dive headfirst into filthy, deranged Black/Death Metal.
In the end, I guess we naturally drift somewhere within that extreme swamp. We just can't help letting influences from here and there creep into the music. We don't really force anything—we just let the songs take us wherever they want to go.
You know what literally hit me right in the face? The sound on the new record. It’s organic, gritty the album has a dark spark to it. In this day and age of over-amplified and compressed formats, it’s a breath of fresh air. To me, this is what true hell sounds like! Please tell me where and how you recorded? How did you achieve this sound?
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate that! I recorded the album myself using my own gear. I've been recording my own demos and a few other bands since 1997, when I started out with an old PC and a cassette deck. Over the years I kept adding more equipment, and eventually I settled on my Yamaha AW4416, which I've been using since 2004. I still use it to record the drums and some of the guitars.
It's one of the first digital workstations ever made, but it has a very old-school way of processing audio and a much more analog-like character than most modern digital gear. Everything else was done on the PC using different DAWs and preamps. The whole idea was to capture a more organic sound, something closer to those early '90s records—that was the goal from the very beginning.
The entire album was produced by me in my humble, filthy little Khazad-Dûm Studios.
I’m exactly the kind of old-school fan who approaches music in such a way that if I like an album, I buy the CD, the vinyl, and the T-shirt. I have to say, the cover art for this year’s album is really well done. This is pretty much how I imagine medieval hell. Can you tell us how you chose the artwork, who created it, and how it relates to the music?
Absolutely! The cover artwork was created by Vhan Art, an artist I've been working with for quite a few years now. Not only with Funebre Devastation, but also with other bands and projects I'm involved in, like Hrizg, Deprive, and several others.
He's an incredibly talented artist who regularly creates pre-made artworks and puts them up for sale. I always take the time to check out every single piece he releases. Whenever I come across one that perfectly matches the atmosphere I want to capture with a particular album, I simply buy it. That's really all there is to it. It's a straightforward way of working, and it lets us get straight to the point without overcomplicating things.
Looking at your lineup, you’re a band made up entirely of experienced musicians. How do you actually create new music? What does the process of writing new material look like? Do you have trouble agreeing on things? After all, experience can sometimes be a hindrance. You know how it is egos and all that.
That's an interesting question. The funny thing is, there really aren't any egos in this band. We don't argue about the music. We all know the kind of metal we want to play, and we simply make it happen.
Everyone throws ideas on the table suggestions, comments, different approaches—and then I write the riffs that best fit each moment. Sometimes I come to rehearsal with a complete song already written, while other times I just bring a rough idea. There are also times when Argus suggests the kind of song he'd like us to work on. And every now and then I bring in material that's a bit outside the band's usual territory, so Ha-Shatan steps in as a sort of artistic director, helping decide which riffs really fit the spirit of Funebre Devastation.
Even though I'm the one who writes all the music, the contributions from the other guys are incredibly important. Their input shapes the final result and gives the band its own identity.
In the past we've worked with a few lead guitarists, but none of them really fit our way of working, our music, or our philosophy. So we've decided to keep Funebre Devastation as a three-piece for the foreseeable future.
For me, old-school metal has always been associated with a certain darkness. Even as a young guy, I was fascinated by the references to Satanism that grime and decay that you could sense in your bands’ music. How did you end up gravitating toward this particular style?
Well, in my case it all started with bands like Manowar. Without a doubt, they're the band that dragged me into this whole mess. There were other bands before them, of course, but Manowar were the ones who really opened the gates to Metal for me.
As for the Satanic side of things, I'd say Venom first, and later Morbid Angel, completely blew my mind as a teenager. I'd listen to their albums and read the lyrics with this strange mix of fascination and fear. In the end, though, fascination won.
By 1993 I was already deeply into Death Metal, and I always found myself drawn to the bands that had a Satanic or occult atmosphere. It was only a matter of time before Black Metal entered my life as well.
I guess it's the same story for a lot of people from our generation, isn't it?
I’d be curious to know what the music scene is like in Spain, especially in your area (Santander, Cantabria). How did you get into music, and who was your role model? What about your scene, clubs, and fans?
Well, I wouldn't really say there's an actual scene where we live. We're from Santander, but in reality each of us lives in a different town, quite far apart. That's pretty common around here—young people get together because they're into the same music, but they rarely live anywhere near each other. Metal is pretty scarce here these days, although there is some new blood slowly picking up the torch.
There are still bands around, most of them made up of old bastards like us, and we're all friends and support each other. But calling it a real scene... I don't know, I think that might be giving it too much credit.
Spain has some absolutely killer bands and amazing musicians who know exactly how to do their thing. But Cantabria, the region where we live, is a different story. It's a small region where the extreme metal culture has been fading away for years, leaving only a handful of younger maniacs who, hopefully, will bring the underground back to life little by little.
There aren't many bars or clubs where you can hang out, have a few beers, and listen to bands like Slayer. And if we're talking about true underground metal, there are even fewer. If there aren't enough fans to keep a scene alive, there certainly won't be many venues for them either.
That said, we're used to it, and honestly, we don't really care. We do our own thing, and there's always a bunch of friends who show up at our gigs ready to go completely insane—to mosh, raise hell, and unleash some proper violence and chaos, just the way it should be.
We got into the scene back in the late '80s and early '90s, when things were completely different. There were loads of bands, loads of gigs, loads of ideas. It felt like a real scene—clubs, maniacs, and underground metal everywhere you looked. But all of that eventually faded away, and nowadays... well, it's become something much smaller and far more exclusive.
Your lyrics are also very dark. That’s obviously part of death black thrash metal, and I like it, but I’d be interested in the origin and creation of the lyrics. How did the lyrics for the new album come about? What are they about?
The lyrics are basically a mix of ideas, phrases, and concepts that all revolve around a few core themes: violence, darkness, and extremity. From there, each song leans a bit more in one direction or another. Some are about taking revenge on people who cross you. Others deal with serial killers, occult rituals, or pure destruction. Darkness always has to be the dominant element. They're very direct lyrics, written to emphasize the darkest and most extreme side of human nature. I couldn't really tell you that one song is about this specific subject and another about something else, because together they all form a single conceptual world, even if each one explores it from a different angle.
Funebre Devastation embraces feelings like hatred, revenge, and defiance because they're part of human nature. We don't believe in preaching or moralizing through our lyrics. Instead, we write from the perspective of the darkest instincts, standing our ground against a world that's often cruel and full of hypocrites mother fuckers. The message isn't about surrendering it's about pride, resilience, and refusing to let life or anyone else break your spirit. No matter how many times you get knocked down, you stand back up with your head held high.
Throughout the history of metal, there have been many instances where certain bands were banned because they were shocking or held views that differed from mainstream society. Have you ever had any problems? In today’s internet age, it’s incredibly easy to immediately condemn someone, spread a rumor, and destroy them. How does mainstream society in Spain view black death thrash metal bands? You’re a strongly Catholic country…
Well, I wouldn't say Spain is a deeply Catholic country. It's a country that tries to be secular without really being secular. There are still plenty of people who believe in this false god, of course, but it's nothing like countries such as Poland, or others that seem to be much more religious.
We've never had any problems because of the themes we write about. Not with Funebre Devastation, nor with any of the other bands we've played in over the years. That simply doesn't happen here. What can happen is that bands openly associated with the far right may end up being boycotted. Bands that openly promote those kinds of political views can run into serious trouble with the more radical left. But we're an apolitical band. In fact, we don't give a fuck about politics, whether it's left or right. As far as I'm concerned, they can all go fuck themselves!
Personally, I think today's society has become domesticated. People get offended by every little piece of bullshit someone writes on the internet. But then again, that's actually good for us. We like offending people... so everything's working out just fine! Hahaha.
Have you had to change your approach to music in any way due to new technologies? Thanks to the internet, the world is completely different; bands have to approach everything in a totally different way. How do you perceive these changes?
I like this question. The internet has democratized stupidity, and even though we're assholes too, we're not going down that road. We make the music that matters to us. We're an old-school band because we're old, and we grew up with that mindset. We're never going to change that. If we did, Funebre Devastation simply wouldn't make any sense anymore.
We're not going to change anything just to please a herd mentality that buys their outfits from EMP and only listens to whatever Nuclear Blast, Napalm Records, or some other shitty labels happen to release.
We don't work according to the algorithm. Sure, we have social media, because otherwise nobody would even know we exist nowadays. But that's as far as it goes. We're not crossing the line or betraying our convictions just to sell ten more records. We don't have that obsession with making it big. We're not a professional band, and everything we do comes straight from the heart.
That's the fundamental difference between Funebre Devastation and most other bands. We have principles, and those principles are non-negotiable.
How are things going for FUNEBRE DEVASTATION in terms of concerts? I noticed you don’t perform very often. Wouldn’t a European tour appeal to you? I could imagine you sharing the stage with bands like POSSESSED or DEICIDE they come here pretty often.
I can tell you one thing: the day we go on tour with bands like the ones you mentioned, we'll probably shit ourselves with excitement at every single show! Hahaha...
We play as much as we can. We've all got jobs, some of us have families... so we simply can't play as often as we'd like. That said, this year we're not only playing in Spain, but also in Portugal and France, which isn't bad at all. We're also playing the incredible Drums of War Festival alongside bands we grew up listening to.
As for next year, the plan is to do a European tour. We want to take our shit abroad and export our noise. We'd love to play more festivals, but this is a DIY commune, so we can only go as far as our own resources allow.
What do death metal, black metal, and thrash metal mean to you? How would you define them, and how do you perceive these styles as an experienced musician? I don’t want you to describe your playing technique; I’d be more interested in your perspective, your feelings, the energy you convey, and so on. Try being a philosopher for a moment.
Whew... alright, let's see.
To me, Death Metal is about savagery and sheer impact. Darkness and aggression. Violence and extremity. Of course, it depends on what kind of Death Metal we're talking about, but that's always been my general perception of the genre. Putting on your headphones, cranking the volume up, and being physically unable to stop banging your head. Your face twists into a grim expression while you stare into the void. That's real Death Metal. That's how I always experienced it. A swamp of horror that keeps growing inside your mind until it takes over like a terminal disease.
Black Metal gives you different feelings. More romantic ones, in a way. Colder, older. It brings out the philosophical side of life and death. The epic feeling of immemorial times. Almost divine forces watching over everything. It's the kind of music that makes you dream about ages you never lived through and ideas that would never have crossed your mind otherwise. That's what Black Metal was to me. Nowadays, it's mostly just a bunch of hooded idiots who only care about sounding perfect, playing perfectly, and making money. That feeling died many years ago.
Thrash Metal, in my opinion, made perfect sense in the '80s. It was humble, streetwise kids from rough backgrounds trying to crawl out of their shitty lives, expressing everything they lived through with razor-sharp riffs, fast drums, and an untamed attitude. Nowadays, Thrash Metal is a fucking commercial circus. It's the most extreme genre that's still part of the mainstream. So now you get kids showing up with instruments that cost more than all of mine put together, taking lessons at music academies, with everything paid for by mom and dad. That's got absolutely nothing to do with where the genre came from. That's why I call it what it is: a fucking circus.
Of course, if you take the very best elements of all three styles and turn them into something hostile and violent... then everything is exactly as it should be.
What does FUNEBRE DEVASTATION have planned for the coming months? Where can we see you in concert? If you have a message for labels, promoters, or fans, this is the place…
For the time being, you can catch Funebre Devastation live in Bilbao, Barcelona, Tarbes (France), and Porto (Portugal). But of course, if any promoter wants to book us, we'll gladly go wherever we're invited, as long as the conditions aren't ridiculous. We're not going to pay for our own travel and accommodation just so the promoter can disappear with our money and spend it on cocaine.
As for record labels, honestly, we're pretty easy about it. If anyone wants to release our material, all they have to do is get in touch and send us a proposal. Whether it's about putting out one of our releases or booking us to play in their area, we'll always take a look at it and give an honest answer. We're open to any kind of collaboration.
And to the fans... I don't know if they've heard the band yet or seen us live somewhere, but one thing's for sure for better or worse, we don't leave anyone indifferent. I think that anyone who has the same blood running through their veins as we do will eventually find their way to Funebre Devastation and understand what we're about. Our music calls to old spirits, whether you're old or not.
Thank you very much for the interview. I really appreciate that you took the time for our site. I wish your entire band a lot of hellish inspiration, sold records, and enthusiastic fans. May you also thrive in your personal lives. I hope to see you live someday.
Thank you very much, Jakub. It was a real pleasure answering your questions—they were thoughtful and genuinely interesting, which isn't always the case with interviews these days.
We really appreciate your support and the chance to spread the word about Funebre Devastation through your zine. Hopefully our music will reach a few more maniacs thanks to this interview.
We also hope to make it to your country someday and share a few beers after raising hell on stage. Until then, keep the underground alive, support the bands that deserve it, and never let the flame die.
See you somewhere on the road... and hail from the filthy depths of north of Spain!
Recenze/review - FUNEBRE DEVASTATION - The Verminous Spawn (2026):
